MOOSE EARNS MONEY & VALUABLE LESSONS

 

Sorry internet, part of me using this medium to spew my thoughts and opinions to the world is the opportunity it gives me to brag.  Like most mothers brag about their children's accomplishments, I find great pleasure in bragging about the accomplishments of my horses. Not only because they are an extension of myself, but also because they are the cutest, cuddliest, most beautiful creatures in the world and are quite deserving of all my unconditional love.

Now that we have gotten that out of the way, you too can take part in ooo-ing and ahh-ing required for viewing this post. Last Sunday, after approximately one week off and receiving only one late Friday evening hack, Moose and his palomino girlfriend, Princess Buttercup, participated in the Monmouth County Hunt's First Hunter Pace of the Season. You may ask, why is this a big deal? Who cares? Well let me tell you why.

Moose, the giant seven-year-old OTTB, went out for his first time this season after literally being pulled out of the field the day before, and completely dominated. He jumped every single thing he was pointed at, including several coops, tree trunks, and a giant hedge!  Not only was he perfectly polite, quiet and calm through the whole course, he walked effortlessly through a stream, up and down hills, through cornfields and over obstacles. It was the perfect ride and the perfect weather. When we were done I was so happy with our ride I hardly gave a second thought to the results. I sponged down the horses, offered them some water, and brought them over to the horse park to watch the show. About two hours later I looked down at my phone and saw a text message. ALI WE WON!!!! I laughed out loud. Really? I thought. I learned we had come in at the exact optimum time (one hour and thirteen minutes) over the approximately seven mile long course. We were not even a minute over! Together, Moose and Buttercup earned their team $200 with the best time of the day!

In years past I would have found myself at the horse show for a grueling 12 hour day, hurrying up and waiting to school, and then to show, and then leaving starving, exhausted and thinking about how to improve next time. This year, I opted for the hunter pace. It was the first really beautiful day of the spring, Moose was not prepped to show, and it just seemed like the right thing to do. Turns out it was absolutely the right thing to do. I came home a happy rider with a happy horse and more lessons learned than I could have gained from a couple trips in the show ring.

 

After all the obstacles he had overcome earlier that day, I was confident that Moose could walk cold into any ring in the country and not spook at a thing. I also have a new appreciation for how resourceful he is. Most show horses are valued based on their scope and ability to move and jump well. Very often I see these things outweigh the value of a horse's steady demeanor or quiet nature. For Moose, the former were never his strong points. Although he does have a gigantic stride, when he comes to a jump he'd much rather add a step and take it easy to accommodate his lack of athleticism in that regard. Where that may hurt him in the show ring, it helps him in the hunt field. Not a single obstacle feels unsafe because he is careful to be surefooted before taking off. Although he has a giant stride, in the hunt field the obstacles are set where they fall and have no particular measurements. No problem for Moose, he adjusts his stride on his own as you grab mane, grit your teeth and say quick a prayer. (After this weekend I've decided I'd no longer like to count strides, thank you very much). He is comfortable on both leads, at all gaits, and on various surfaces. Trotting over tree trunks? No problem. Galloping through greenery? Yes please. Strolling through streams? My specialty. Moose approaches a three foot tall and three foot wide hedge at the same pace and demeanor as he does a six inch pile of sticks: calmly, quietly and with steady feet.

So what did we learn from all this? Next time we compete against a $50,000 horse that is afraid of puddles Moose will have the upper hand. Next time there is a bending line, or the jumps are offset, Moose won't crash into the spread because the measurements are off. Next time the course is full of straw bales and tree branches, Moose is more likely to stop and take a bite, than to stop and refuse to jump. Next time we raise the jumps, or confront a tricky course, Moose will predictably stay exactly the same.  

 

As I watched hunter trips at the horse show I thought of how many people could have learned from a similar experience like I had earlier that day. I watched the same horse and rider combination chip at the same jump three times in a row. I watched one rider yank on her horse's mouth mid air in order to steer down a relatively mild bending line. I watched a third rider deal with her horse spooking at the same pile of dirt on the side of the ring each time they passed it. I wasn't jealous. For about a quarter of the cost and half as much time, Moose and I had a wonderful pleasant ride that will improve our next performance in the show ring.  

Okay that's it! I'm done bragging (for now). In the end, Moose and Buttercup proved the perfect pair, and are totally ready for show season/hunting season! This weekend we tackle the thoroughbred only hunters at the horse park.